Eddy County buying GPS devices to keep tabs on sheriff's vehicles

Eddy County Sheriff's Office deputies will soon have a tracking system installed in patrol vehicles.

The GPS tracking devices are a safety feature, according to Sheriff Scott London. Their installation fulfills a campaign promise he made to his officers and the public, he said.

London took office in January after defeating former sheriff Ernie Mendoza in the November General Election.

The Eddy County Commission on Tuesday approved a $2,400-a-month contract with Fleetmatics to install the devices in the department's fleet of vehicles.
London said deputies patrol hundreds of miles in the county and currently there is no way of tracking them if they don't call in their location to dispatch.
"If officers were to have a heart attack or run into trouble, we would be able to locate them. It is also a better management tool of our deputies," London told the commission.

Addressing the concern of Commission Chairman Jack Volpato that the Regional Eddy County Dispatch Authority would be out of the loop, London said dispatch would have access to the system by simply logging into the system.

Commissioner Susan Crockett said her employer, Springtime Cleaning, has used Fleetmatics for eight months and it has been an effective tool in keeping tracking of its vehicle fleet.

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Holding up her mobile phone, Crockett said she received two notifications during the commission meeting on the whereabouts of company drivers traveling between Carlsbad and Hobbs.

"Even when they stop, we know," she said.

Crockett said the Fleetmatic's customer service is "amazing" and that she has yet to have a problem with the company.

Commissioner Glenn Collier asked about the cost of updates to the digital system. Crockett said the company automatically updates the system and it is part of the monthly fee.

London added that the county does not have to purchase the devices for the 64-vehicle fleet in his department.